5th Sunday after Pentecost, June 28, 2026
*Invites all to rise as you are able, in body or spirit
WE BECOME AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE Brad Lambrecht
GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Marc
REMEMBERING OUR BAPTISM
*CALL TO WORSHIP Betty Cichy-Anderson
ONE: Sunday after Sunday, people gather in big and small configurations, in cities and along country roads. But why?
ALL: We are the church.
ONE: Our relaxing weekend morning is interrupted by prayer and preaching, singing and stories. But why?
ALL: We are the church.
ONE: Joining our voices together in worship and witness, whether gathered or scattered, we stay connected. But why?
ALL: We are the body of the risen Christ; we are the church.
*OPENING HYMN The Transforming Church in bulletin
*INVOCATION Pastor Marc
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Betty
O God of both yesterday and the coming days, reminds us you are calling us to be doing ministry today.
Forgive us when we wait too much when we should be doing something.
O God of the mountain, remind us that you are also there in the valleys.
Forgive us for believing we can only find you in certain places.
O God of peace, remind us that you are there in the war and the tension that divide your people.
Forgive us when we hold on to our swords and spears, when we use words like weapons.
O God of Jesus, forgive us and remind us that you continue to be with us always. Amen.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE Betty
God IS with us. No matter what we have done… no matter where we find ourselves in our journey through life, God IS with us.
The God of the mountain is also God in the valley.
The God of the day IS the God in the night.
So, if God is always with us, so is God’s love… a love that offers grace and renewal.
It’s there on the mountain AND in the valley, in the sunlit day and in the darkness of night. God’s love and forgiveness is with us to renew and revives.
You are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
*ACT OF PRAISE Glory, Glory Hallelujah Black #2
(verse 1-3)
*PASSING OF THE PEACE Betty
GOD SPEAKS TO US
MOMENT WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Pastor Marc
PROPHETIC READING Isaiah 2:2-4 Betty
Our first reading this morning comes from the Prophet Isaiah writing to those in exile while in Babylonian captivity. I am reading from the 2nd chapter, verses 2-4.
2In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that we may taught God’s ways
and that we may walk in God’s paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4God shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
MEDITATION HYMN Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blk #393
GOSPEL READING Matthew 16:13-20 Betty
Our gospel reading today comes the 16th chapter of Matthew. I will be reading verses 13-20. Let us listen for what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church of today.
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ 14And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ 15He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ 16Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ 17And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ 20Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
May God’s blessing be upon the reading and hearing of this morning’s holy scriptures. Amen.
MESSAGE “Why The Church?” Rev. Marc Blakesley
WE RESPOND TO GOD
RESPONSE HYMN The Church’s One Foundation Black #386
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Our God in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY Brad Lambrecht
*OFFERING RESPONSE TUNE: Lasst Uns Enfreuen
To God, we lift our voice in praise;
For these, our gifts, and all our days.
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
Thanks for your goodness all around!
Great blessings everywhere abound!
Praise Creator and the Savior! Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit! Al-le-lu-ia!
*DEDICATION PRAYER Pastor Marc
WE TAKE GOD’S WITNESS OUT
*PARTING HYMN What A Covenant Black #471
*BENEDECTION Pastor Marc
*POSTLUDE MUSIC Brad Lambrecht
Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession written by Marc W Blakesley. Copyright © 2023, New Thing Ministry Consulting. Used with permission.
Opening Hymn words by Marc W Blakesley. Copyright © 2001, New Thing Ministry Consulting. Used with permission.
We welcome all who are joining us for worship virtually, on YouTube, https://tinyurl.com/firstcongalex or Cable Channel #181 (each weekday). Our service is broadcast on KXRA 1490 AM at 11 am the second Sunday of the month.
NEWS IN THE PEWS: SUNDAY June 28 2026
Sunday June 28,
10:00 Worship in person and online,
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Monday June 29
10:00 No “Caffeinated Christianity” @ Dunn Bros
4-8 Voice lessons
Tuesday June 30
2:30 Voice lessons
Wednesday July 1
4-6 Labyrinth
Thursday July 2
4-7 Arts Space
4:30 Holy Happy Hr
Next Sunday July 5 Communion
8:30 Band Rehearsal
10:00 Worship in person and online, communion, 1st Sunday Music
11:00 Coffee Fellowship
Sabbatical Pastor Contact Information
Rev. Marc Blakesley is called to serve this church ½ time.
Email: marc@firstcongregationaluccalex.com
Cell Phone: 612-325-1467 (voice/text)
Follow Pastor Jill’s Sabbatical
Pastor Jill is on her renewal leave until August 2nd. If you would like to follow along with her journey, you can go read her journal at https://substack.com/@alongjillsjourney. If you “subscribe” (do not pay as it’s free), you will be notified when posts are made.
Come walk our Labyrinth: A path for Contemplative Prayer
The labyrinth is open on Wednesdays from 4-6. Anyone at church or the greater community is warmly invited to participate. The labyrinth is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit, and a mirror of the soul. May it serve as one of these, and more, for you.
Arts Space
This summer, artist Jax Rose will be holding an arts space for teens on Thursday nights 4-7 in our Fellowship Hall. These classes are free to any student who attends, and every student receives one on one instruction. Students are highly encouraged to bring their sketchbook or any projects they might be working on. Classes start June 11th and go to September 3rd. Hope to see you there!”
Angel Care Team June
LuWanna Hintermeister will be the June Angel visitor. If you know of someone who needs a visit, please contact the office.
Worship Volunteers Needed
We have sign ups at the back of the sanctuary for volunteers interested in ushering, greeting and providing coffee fellowship. You are free to sign up for as many as you wish at a time. If you are interested in tech, let someone at the tech desk know and we can train you on the job.
Strengthen the Church Offering
Today is the last Sunday to give to the Strengthen the Church all denomination offering.
VIRTUAL GIVING OPTIONS: ONLINE AND TEXT
Check out our updated website: firstcongregationaluccalex.com. Click on the word “Give” at the top of the screen. You can also text (844) 987-4483 to give to our general fund. Please contact the office if you need help setting up a giving account online using our provider, Churchtrac.
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Jan Finazzo 07/01
Zavadil Anniversary 07/02/66
Mamie Clark 07/07
Jay Diebold 07/07
Cindy Fleming 07/09
Shari Mohabir 07/10
If we have missed your birthday or other important date, please let us know.
Wedding Anniversary
Carol and Gary Zavadil have been married 60 years on July 2.
Upcoming Events or Community Events
WOW Wednesdays and Sabbath Saturdays
Sign ups for the remaining Wow Wednesday and Sabbath Saturday are at the back of the sanctuary. Please not that the Chair Yoga July 15 program is before the meal. Program begins at 5:15 in the sanctuary and dinner is at 6:15. Eat lightly if you need to eat earlier because many of the poses will be less comfortable on a full stomach.
Evening Prayer Services
All are welcome to join the First Lutheran Care for Creation Team for a time of music, scripture, and prayer. The purpose is to pray for the world, for peace, for all leaders, for creation, and for God’s presence in our lives. This prayer service is the 3rd Sunday of every month at 5:00 pm.
Pride Volunteers needed
We need volunteers to help welcome people to Pride at our booth. We are looking for people who will give Mom or Dad Hugs or otherwise provide extravagant welcome. The event is July 11. We will need volunteers for 2 hour shifts between 10-4 and help set up and pack up our booth.
Women’s Fellowship Salad Luncheon
We will have our annual salad luncheon and bake sale on July 16. We will need volunteers and salads and baked goods. Sign ups at the back of the sanctuary soon.
All Church Retreat
We will have an All Church Retreat on August 1 at Luther Crest. We will be celebrating Pastor Jill’s return from her sabbatical and sharing our stories of Congregational Renewal. The psalmist Richard Bruxvoort Colligan will facilitate the retreat.
Andrea Olson Benefit
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church 1655 18th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308
Whether you are able to contribute financially, attend the event, share the fundraiser, or simply keep Andrea in your thoughts, your support is deeply appreciated. Thank you for helping us surround Andrea with care, encouragement, and hope. Her gofund me can be found here: https://gofund.me/b2ce0f33b
This congregation is a member of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ and honor the dignity of each person created in God’s image. All are welcome here.
